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Bill Gates announces USD 23 million HIV/AIDS grant to India

NEW DELHI: On the day he leaves Microsoft to work for his pet social sector projects, software pioneer Bill Gates on Friday announced a USD 23 million grant to India to control the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the country.

The announcement was made when Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss called upon him at his office in Seattle, United States.

Gates appreciated the efforts made by the Minister for improving the Health sector in India and congratulated him for the effective implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in India.

Gates announced that the foundation would make a USD 23 million grant to India which would be spent through National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in India over the next three years.

In response to a query from Gates regarding the polio situation in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Minister explained the action taken by the government for its eradication from the country.

At a separate meeting of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for which Gates would work full time after Microsoft, Ramadoss discussed the polio situation in UP and Bihar, Tobacco control programme, India’s Drugs Regulatory Authority, HIV/AIDS situation in India and several other issues.

The Health Minister also made an appeal for popularising Yoga and healthy life style across the globe.

The Foundation has already announced a grant of USD 58 million for HIV/AIDS Avahan Programme for a period of five years.